Unitary flaring tool



Dec. 19, 1950 cs. E. FRANCK 2,534,510

UNITARY FLARING TOOL Filed Aug. 10, 1948 fatenteci 15cc. 19, 1950UNITARY FLARIN G TOOL George E. Franck, Riverside, Ill., assignor to TheImperial Brass Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation ofIllinois Application August 10, 1948, Serial N 0. 43,506

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a flaring tool, and more particularly to aunitary flaring tool having clamping means and a pressure member forflar ing the end of a tube.

Flaring tools as a rule are carried in a kit together with many othertools, and it is desirable that the tool be of unitary construction inthe sense that all parts of the tool are joined together in such mannerthat they will not become separated as the user, who is usually aninstallation man or repair man, travels from place to place.Furthermore, it is desirable that the workman be able to reach into hiskit and bring out the entire tool and not have to search in his kit forvarious parts of the complete tool.

It is, therefore, a general object of the invention to provide a new andimproved unitary flaring tool in which the pressure member whichcomprises the flaring means is carried on the means for clamping thetube and may not be inadvertently separated therefrom.

If tubes having ends which are flared by means of flaring tools such asare described herein are to form a fluid-tight connection witha fittingor coupling and if the flares are to conform to the standards set up bythe Society of Automotive Engineers, the flares given the tube must havecertain dimensions which, of course, vary with the diameter of the tubebeing flared. To obtain a flare of proper dimensions, the tube must beara certain relationship to the means in which it is clamped. Some usersof a flaring tool through ignorance, and many more through carelessness,do not clamp the tube in the proper relationship to the clamping meansand a flare of improper dimensions results.

While gauges have heretofore been provided for determining the properrelationship of the tube and clamping means, the use of the gauges hasslowed down the flaring operation since such gauges are independent ofthe flaring means and it has been necessary to move the gauge into andout of operative position independently of and without reference to thepositioning of the flaring meansthereby increasing the number ofoperations .in' flaring a tube.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a unitary flaringtool wherein a gauge for determining the position of the tube to beflared in the clamping means is movable with the pressure member.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a unitaryflaring tool wherein a yoke which is slidable on the clamping meanscarries both the pressure member for forming the flare and a gauge fordetermining the position Of the tube to be flared in the clamping means,and wherein the tool is provided with stop means for limiting thesliding movement of the yoke on the clamping means and for preventingseparation of the yoke from the clamping means.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdetailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsin which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my improved unitary flaring tool;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the flaring tool with the gaugeshown properly positioning limited thereby to the specific disclosuresmade.

On the contrary, it is intended to cover allmodifications andalternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention defined in theappended claims.

As shown in the drawings for purposes of disclosure, the tool comprisesgenerally a carrier ID of elongated form to permit in line arrangementof tube receiving bores or recesses; the actual tube clamping orgripping means which comprise a plurality of blocks lIb-llf; meansdesignated generally at 12 for applying a longitudinal force, herein athrust, for causing the blocks to perform their tube clamping function;

and means generally designated at ll for posi tioning and flaring thetube, including a slide member on which the flaring and positioningdevices are carried.

In the embodiment illustrated the carrier or support l0 takes the formof a narrow, very elongated U having a pair of legs I3 and I4 which.

are held in spaced parallel relationship by a spacing block [5 formingthe closed end of the U and to which the legs are alflxed by a pin I8.Inasmuch as the carrier In is subjected to a 1ongitudinal force duringthe clamping of a tube,

the strips composing the legs may be of relatively small cross sectionalarea and still provide the necessary strength to withstand any stress towhich the carrier normally is subjected. The length of the carrier I0 isdetermined primarily by considerations of convenience in handling by theworkman, the necessity normally to provide clamping means for a givennumber of sizes of tubes, and similar considerations.

The actual clamping of the tubes in the clamping means is effected notby the legs [3 and [4 but by'the blocks llb-l if and the spacer blockIS. The fact that six blocks are shown is of course merely an arbitrarychoice and the number of blocks might be increased or decreased ifdesired. Each block is generally rectangular in transverse section andis at each end formed with a channel for the reception therein of legsl3and M. The blocks H are thus slidablelongitudinally of the carrier [0and the width of the channel is preferably so dimensioned as to providea sliding but close fit on the edge faces of" the legs I3 and Hi. Thedepth of the channel, however, is preferably made somewhat greater thannecessary so as to provide a degree of play between the blocks H and thelegs 13 and iii to permit longitudinal; shifting of the blocks and somedegree of angular play or displacement of the-blocks so that the blocksare self-centering or self-aligning when atube-is clamped.Furthermore,such construction facilitates the manufactureof theapparatus since the tolerances are not so close as would otherwiseberequired.

Not only are the blocks It all preferably of the same dimensiontransversely ofthe carrier,

but they are also preferably all of the same di mension longitudinallyof the carrier which dimension will herein be termed the width of theblocks. As fully disclosed in my co-pending. application for TubeClamping Means filed May 4, 1946, as Serial No. 667,386, issued April25, 1950, as Patent No. 2,505,665, this uniformity in width is madepossible despite the variation in size of the bores in which-varioussized tubes. are clamped by the position and relative placement of thedifferent" diameter bores in the blocks.

These cores" for receiving the various sized tools are composedofcomplementary generally semicylind'rical recesses [6 formed in abuttingfaces of adjacent blocks. While these recesses are referredtoasbeinggenerally'semi cylindrical; they arefa'ctually preferably veryslightly out of round with the'transverse diametric dimensions of theresulting bore a few thousandths of an inch larger than the longitudinaldimension. This prevents scoring of the tube'at the lines of junc' tureof the two complementary recesses.

With the'exception of the end blocks l5 and i if which; of course, eachhave only one recess it formed therein, each of the intermediate blocksat one end of each bore, so that it may be said that each bore has acountersunk portion and a generally cylindrical portion. As may be seenin Fig. 4 the countersunk portions [9 extend into the respective bores adepth which varies directly with the diameter of each bore. For example,the countersunk portion of the largest bore at the right hand end of theclamping toolas seen in Fig. 4 is of greater depth than the countersunkportion in any of the other bores, and this depth varies directly withthe diameter of the respective bores, being shallowest in the smallestbore.

The clamping force generating means l2 for exerting a longitudinal forcecausing the blocks to grip a tube inserted therebetween in one of thebores" comprises a screw device pivotally mounted to be swung to anoperating position longitudinally of the carrier 1%] as illustrated ortea position transversely of the carrier to permit separation of theblocks for the reception or withdrawal of a tube. The screw device isillustrated as comprising a T-shaped body member 363- having reducedportions at the ends of the cross bar of the T forming trunnions whichare received in: apertures near the ends of the legsi3 and [4; The stemportion of the T-shaped body member is tubular and is internallythreaded to receive a-bolt 3| having rigid therewith at its outer end awing nut 32. The inner end of the bolt is preferably rounded as shown inFig. 1,.

and the block [if engaged by the end of the bolt is recessed to receivethe bolt and may have a detent therein for engagement by the end of thehas? a recess formed in each side face in order that the number ofblocks required may be a minimum for thenumbe'r of bores provided, thisbeingmade possible by an association of the recesses in inverse order totheir relative sizes.

Thus the-second block from the right as seen in' Fig. 1 has formed inone face the largest recess (which is complementary with the recess inthe end block H to form the largest bore), and in the other face thesmallest recess; the third" blockhas formed therein the remainingsmallest recess and one of the second largest recesses; the fourth blockhas the remaining second largest recess and one of the second smalle'strecesses. This arrangement is continued regardless of the number ofblocks, and as seen in Figs. 1 and 4' the recesses in abutting faces ofthe blocks form, when in abutting relationship, a plurality of boreswhich are generally cylindrical in shape with the exception of acountersunk portion I9 bolt.

The means 11 include a yoke 35 formed with a channel for engaging theclampingmeans l'il'as shown in Fig. 3', the yoke being slidablelongitudinally of the carrier and blocks. The upper body portion 35a hasa threaded aperture there'- through for carrying a pressure memberadapted to exert force axially of the bores for flaring the end of thetube. In the structure illustrated the pressure member comprises a stud36 threaded into the aperture through the body portion 350.-

of theyoke, and carrying at its'lower'end a conical operating head 3'!for flaring the end of'the tube. The upper. end of the stud 3B ispreferably formed of square cross section as shown at 38a. and'i'sfitted with a handle 38.

While the tube clamping means i5 and the flaring means above describedare each, when considered alone, generally old; an important feature ofmy invention resides in a novel arrangem'ent combining, the clampingmeans and the flaring means to provide a unitary flaring tool and toprovide means for properly'positioning. a tube to be flared in theclamping means. In order to achieve these ends the'yoke 35 is so'mounted that it is directly in engagement with the clamping blocks andis slidable therealong longitudinally of the clamping means but it notsubject to play or angular movement having any rotational component withrespect to the clamping means, but maintains a predeterminedrelationship to the upper surface of the clamping blocks for a purposeto be hereafter described; A close sliding fit between theyoke 35 .andthe clamping blocks is insured by making;v the channel only slightlylarger than the horizontal transverse dimension of the blocks as shownin Fig. 3 and by providing. upper and lower'shoulders 35b and 350,respectively, which define the vertical dimension of said channel,

these shoulders being spaced so that they engage the upper and lowersurfaces of the blocks and insure that there is no play-or angularmovement having any rotational component between the yoke and theblocks, the yoke maintaining accurately a predetermined positionrelative to the plane of the upper surface of the blocks.

In order to prevent the yoke 35 from being inadvertently removed fromthe flaring tool I provide stop means for limiting the longitudinalmovement of the yoke. This stop means comprises members projectingtransversely from the carrier adjacent opposite ends thereof. In theapparatus illustrated a projecting membeniBa is shown near one end ofthe carrier while a projecting member M is shown adjacent the pivotalmounting of the longitudinal force exerting means [2. In the apparatusillustrated the member [8a comprises an extension of the pin [8 and themember 4| comprises an extension of the trunnion which mounts the member30.

A flare gauge 59 is carried on the yoke 35 and extends across the top ofthe blocks ll, being spaced a short distance therefrom as shown in Figs.2, 3 and 4. This gauge is similar in function to the gauge disclosed inmy co-pending application entitled Clamping Means for Flaring Tools orthe Like, filed November 18, 1946 as Serial No. 710,706, issued April25, 1950, as Patent No. 2,505,666, but in the improved tool disclosedherein the gauge is movable with the flaring means and is preferablyintegral with the yoke 35. The flare gauge acts as a stop for a tubeinserted in one of the bores, the gauge being movable longitudinally ofthe carrier so that it is selectively positionable over any of thebores, and when positioned over a bore the gauge determines the extentto which a tube may be inserted in the clamping means in order to obtaina flare comforming to SAE standards. Since the yoke is mounted forsliding movement without play and since the gauge is integral with theyoke, the distance from the upper surface of the blocks H to the yoke isalways the same and a tube tobe flared may be accurately and properlypositioned before it is clamped in one of the bores. The distance fromthe cylindrical portions of the bores to the bottom surface of the gaugein order to obtain a proper flare varies, of course, with the size ofthe tube. This variance is taken into account by the various sizes ofthe countersunk portions I9, the distance from the flare gauge to thetop of the cylindrical portion of the bores varying for each bore ofdifierent diameter.

In the operation of the device the wing nut 32 is turned to release theblock and the entire apparatus [2 may if desired be pivoted on itstrunnions to permit separation of the blocks II and a tube of the propersize is inserted in one of the bores, in the apparatus illustrated atube 42 being inserted in the second smallest bore bdtween the blocks llb and Ho. The yoke 35 is then moved longitudinally of the carrier untilthe flare gauge 39 is immediately over the end 42a of the tube and thetube is inserted until its end 42a strikes the flare gauge 39. With theapparatus in this position the means [2 are swung to the position shownin Fig. l and the wing nut 32 is turned to exert a force on the blocksand clamp the tube in the bore. The yoke 35 may then be slidlongitudinally of the carrier until the conical operating head 31 isover the tube, and by turning the handle 38 the end of the tube may beflared. The operation which places the gauge in position also moves thepressure member to a position adjacent the tube to be flared, and theoperation which places the pres-- sure member in operating position alsomoves the gauge out of the way. The gauge 39 in 00- operation with theparticular depth of thecountersunk portion of the chosen bore insuresslide off of the carrier since thestop members 40 and 4| limit thelongitudinal movement of the yoke with respect to the carrier, and theunitary structure of the apparatus is thus re-- tained. It may bedesirable in some instances to provide a structure in which the handle38 is removable from the stud 36 so that the handle may be used as awrench with other tools..

I claim:

1. In a tube \working tool, an elongated tube clamping means having aplurality of bores arranged in a line, each bore having a differentdiameter and each bore having a generally cylindrical portion and aconical counter-sunk portion extending from one face of said clampingmeans into the bore a depth directly proportional to the diameter of thebore, a slide member mounted on said clamping means, said member havinga channel engaging the clamping means in a manner permitting slidingmovement of said member along the clamping means in the line of thebores at all times, a clamping force generating means operatingindependently of said member to generate a force along the line of thebores for clamping a tube in a bore, a flaring device threadably mounted0n said member for movement relative thereto axially of said bores. anda gauge on said member for indicating the .proper degree of insertion ofa tube into each bore of the clamping means, said gauge comprising aplate rigidly fixed to said member and positioned out of the line ofmovement of the flaring device, said plate extending from said memberalong the line of the bores, at right angles to the axes of the boresand spaced a predetermined distance from said one face of said clampingmeans, and said force generating means being operable firmly to clamp atube in a bore after it has been positioned by the gauge with saidmember being slidable along said clamping means to bring the flaringdevice axially in line with a firmly clamped tube.

2. In a tube working tool, an elongated tube clamping means having aplurality of bores arranged in a line, each bore having a differentdiameter and each bore having a generally cylindrical portion and aconical counter-sunk portion extending from one face of said clampingmeans into the bore a depth directly proportional to the diameter of thebore, a slide member mounted on said clamping means, said member havinga channel engaging the clamping means in a manner permitting slidingmovement of said member along the clamping means in the line of thebores, a flaring device threadably mounted on said member for movementrelative thereto axially of said bores, a gauge on said member forindicating the proper degree of insertion of a tube into each bore ofthe clamping means, said gauge comprising a plate rigidly fixed to saidmember and positioned out of the line of movement of the flaring device,said plate extending from said member along the line of the bores, atright angles to the axes of the bores and spaced a predetermineddistance from said one face of massm mid, clamping means, and axlamningforce generating means. operating independently of. said. member togenerate a force. flrm-lyto clampa tubev n. a. here; with said memberbeing: sliclable along. Said clamping means to; bring the, flamingdevice 5 axially inline with a-firmly' clamped tube.

GEORGE; E. FRANCE.

REFERENCES The following references: are ofrecord in the; 10': fifeofthis patent:

UNITED-- STATES PATENTS- Number 136399 ass-nos- 1 ,7a4:,544- 1,950,1542089,133 2,090,660 $120,029 2 ,132,947 2242x31 zgzw'mm 2;4%15' .520

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